Anteroir Uveal Vasculature in Rabbit Eye with Scanning Electron Microscopy

ABSTRACT

Using ocularluminal methylmethacrylate corrosion casting, we obsesved three-dimentional anterior uveal microcirculation of the rabbit eyes with scanning electron microscope. The two terminal branches of each long posterior ciliary artery turn opposite direction within the iris to run concentric to the pupil; the superior and inferior branches forming the major iridic circle (MIC). Radial branches run both proximally and distally from the MIC, the former distributing to the ciliary process, choroid and ciliary body and the latter distributing to the iris. Venous drainage of the anterior uvea is taken care of by the large iridociliary veins and by marginal capillaries of the process. Each of these drains to the large vessel layer of the choroid and subsquently to the vortex vein.